Chapter 4 : The Reception of New Students at Silvara
After the results were announced, the students who failed left the school feeling dejected, while the successful ones made their way to say their goodbyes to their parents. Adari, feeling both nervous and excited, approached his father.
« Goodbye, father. I'll become strong and return to protect the shop and our family, » Adari said with a mix of determination and anxiety.
His father looked at him, his face showing both love and caution. « Adari, my son, take care of yourself and think more about your future. Don't worry too much about us. What matters now is that you discover this world and what you're meant to do in it. But remember, don't let it define who you are. Discover that for yourself. » With a light laugh, he took out a small pendant. « Take this pendant from your mother. She asked me to give it to you if you succeeded, so you can remember us. Take care of yourself, my son. »
As his father left, Adari stood there, silently watching him go. « I will miss you, » he whispered softly, a tear forming in his eye.
Adari joined the rest of the successful students in the school courtyard. They were all gathered, some looking excited, others nervous, and some seemingly indifferent as if they had already expected this moment. Then, an elderly man with white hair and a long, gray beard ascended the platform. His presence commanded respect.
« I am the principal of this combat school, Selvara Academy, » the elderly man began. « I welcome you to the start of your trials. Each of you has your own reasons for being here—some came seeking power, wealth, or strength, others by their families' insistence. What matters now is that you know this is not free. We are not a charity. We are an institution established by the Empire to discover, train, and develop talents to ensure its survival. As for the weak, they will be discarded. Resources will not be wasted on them. Tomorrow, your lessons begin, and the teachers will explain the rest. Now, go and collect the keys to your rooms. »
After the principal finished his speech, the crowd dispersed. Some students were anxious, others were eager, and a few showed no reaction at all, as if they had already known what to expect.
Adari made his way to his room, deep in thought. « Why does the Empire need us ? Can't they just train their army with fewer resources ? » These questions filled his mind, and perhaps due to his overprotective upbringing by the Ramha family, Adari had never learned much about the darker side of the world he was now entering.
Upon entering his room, Adari found a small oil lamp on a table, along with some fruit and a small jug of water. The bed looked old, and on top of it were some simple clothes with decorative embroidery, a tag with his name on it : « Ramha Adari, Section B1. »
He sighed as he looked around the room. « Well, this won't be easy, » he whispered to himself, acknowledging the challenge that lay ahead.
The next morning, Adari woke up early, dressed in his school uniform, and made his way down the long corridors of the school. The vastness of the academy overwhelmed him a little, but there was also a spark of excitement in his chest.
He arrived at Section B1, where he found a group of students, all about his age, talking amongst themselves. They glanced at him as he entered but quickly returned to their conversation, ignoring his presence. He didn't mind and made his way to an empty seat at the back. As more students filled the room, the class size grew to thirty.
A middle-aged man entered the room. He wore teacher's attire, with short black hair and a light beard, which gave him a no-nonsense air. He looked at the students and said, « I am your teacher, Kain Alistair. Please, take your seats. »
« Today, I will explain the structure of this academic year, » the teacher continued. « First, every month you will undergo a test that will determine whether you stay or are expelled. » Some students began to murmur anxiously, while others seemed indifferent. Adari, however, felt his nervousness growing. He touched the pendant his mother had given him and whispered to himself, « I will succeed. I will succeed. »
The teacher suddenly shouted, « SILENCE ! » and continued, « Do you think you're qualified just because you passed the preliminary exam ? That was nothing. Here, the challenges will only grow harder. »
« Secondly, each of you will be given limited resources. How you progress will determine the increase in your resources, » the teacher added, a cruel smile playing at the corners of his mouth. « Thirdly, enjoy your first year here, because starting from the second year onward, you are not allowed to steal resources from others. If you do, there are severe consequences. In fact, after the second year, the law of the jungle applies. Killing is prohibited, but everything else is fair game. Anyone who breaks these rules will be expelled, punished, or even killed. »
The teacher smiled to himself, thinking, Ah, how I love scaring these little kids. It's never boring. Look at those terrified faces. But there are some who possess determination… and even strength.
« Alright, let's begin the first lesson… » he concluded, the classroom now filled with an atmosphere of tension.
———
Support me on Ko-fi if you enjoy my novel : https://ko-fi.com/wawi015.